Justique 'Magnifique' in Desi Arnaz Score

Showing a late-running style that the great Zenyatta  used so effectively during her racing career, Justique  circled the field and inhaled her rivals for a 2 1/4-length score in the $101,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes Nov. 19 at Del Mar. 

#1 JUSTIQUE was "far behind....far in front!" Super impressive in the Desi Arnaz. The daughter of @coolmoreamerica Justify won under @VictorEspinoza for @StablesCrk. pic.twitter.com/CHwxHMm6QA

— TVG (@TVG) November 19, 2022

Trained by John Shirreffs of Zenyatta fame, Justique landed on everyone's radar after a dazzling last-to-first display in her debut victory in July. A $725,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase, the C R K Stable's runner was bet down as the favorite in her next outing, the Chandelier Stakes (G2), and came home a non-threatening third.

Cut back to sprint and matched against easier, Justique was sent to post again as the favorite in the seven-furlong Desi Arnaz against six fellow juvenile fillies.

More than 10 lengths off the pace after a quarter mile under jockey Victor Espinoza, the daughter of Justify   bided her time behind snappy opening splits of :22.04 and :45.05. Past the half-mile pole, Justique suddenly jolted into action, gobbling up the ground around the far turn and picking off rivals.

Sailing past the opposition, Justique ($5) cruised to the finish, hitting the wire well in hand in a time of 1:23.41 for the seven furlongs on a fast track.

Bred by John Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock in Kentucky, Justique is by Justify   out of Bernardini  mare Grazie Mille .

Quick Santa Anita Park maiden winner Blessed Touch  secured the runner-up spot over Naughty Lottie .

Video: Desi Arnaz S. (BT)